A well-trained gundog is steady, calm, and reliable—even when the action heats up. Whether you’re at a driven shoot or a rough shoot, steadiness is an essential skill for every UK gundog.
Training Tips:
- Practice around distractions: Take your dog to a local shoot or a training day where they’ll hear gunfire and see other dogs working. Gradually build their confidence to stay calm and steady.
- Introduce delayed retrieves: Toss a dummy but wait before giving the command to retrieve. This builds patience and ensures they’re always looking to you for guidance.
- Use everyday distractions: Involve kids playing, bikes passing by, or even local wildlife to reinforce steadiness at home or in your local park.